As 2024 is crossing the finish line, it is time to look back at what happened in sim racing this year - here's part 2 of our year in review.
Six months down, six more to go! If you joined us for part one of our 2024 sim racing year in review article, you know that there were plenty of storylines, some of which carry over into the second half of the year as well. Big updates, big announcements, a remarkable community effort - there was plenty to look back on.
So, without further ado, let's have a look at what happened in sim racing in the latter half of 2024!
At this point, it also becomes clear that Corsair owns several Fanatec design trademarks and patents - as collateral against the payments to stabilize the company, as it emerges a day later. On that same day, it also emerges that Corsair owns the Fanatec brand, too.
Then, on July 16, the announcement of the Local Court of Landshut authorizing two Endor shareholders to hold an extraordinary meeting with the purpose of withdrawing confidence from the Managing Board of Endor emerges. One of these shareholders is implied to be Jackermeier himself on July 31, when it is announced that Endor files for insolvency.
Indeed, the planned meeting is the reason for Corsair to pull out as a strategic investor, meaning the plan to stabilize the company via the StaRUG procedure has failed. For sim racers, nothing much changes, as Fanatec continues to operate for now, and Corsair is understood to still be interested in acquiring Endor.
In more positive business-related news, Straight4 Studios announces GTRevival's name change to Project Motor Racing alongside a new publishing deal with GIANTS Software, known for their Farming Simulator franchise. Previously, the project was to be published by PLAION, which was part of Embracer Group that split apart in April.
Rennsport, meanwhile, also took a step forward. On July 3, Developer Competition Company announces an Open Beta update to the sim, including the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and GT4 cars. The move to Open Beta status also means the beta keys, already a meme for a long time, are phased out - anybody can access the sim once the update launches on July 10.
The Lister Storm GT in Project Motor Racing. Image: Straight4 Studios
A few booths over, Corsair not only offers the first hands-on experience of its own rig, but also displays several Fanatec products on said rig as well as on the booth itself. A week after gamescom, news emerge that the extraordinary general meeting that led to Corsair ending its involvement in the proceedings to stabilize Endor is "temporarily suspended". At the same time, Fanatec CMO Belma Nadarevic answers community questions in a video, assuring sim racers that day-to-day operations of the company should run a bit smoother than previously.
After a period of silence regarding new content, RaceRoom re-enters the sim racing stage on August 18, teasing the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI as well as a historic track - just days later, it emerges that both the Alfa and the Opel Calibra V6 4x4 will be added to the sim to complete the 1995 DTM grid. KW Studios also announces that it will add the first-ever historic tracks to RaceRoom, those being the AVUS, Diepholz and classic Hockenheim. The content accompanies a milestone update that also improves the sim's graphics and performance.
Image: KW Studios
Image: Kylotonn / Nacon
Server and service problems for the always-online title mean that issues plague TDUSC, with many unable to play at all during the first weekend and even beyond. Understandably, the community is not exactly happy with the launch of the game. In-game compensation is promised, a big update follows, but the excitement about the first big release in the Test Drive Unlimited franchise in 13 years evaporates immediately for most.
While Kylotonn and Nacon are trying to rein in the TDU issues, the saga surrounding Endor/Fanatec comes to an end. After months of uncertainty about the company, Corsair acquires Endor AG on September 14, but opts to continue with the Fanatec brand for sim racing products. With Endor being liquidated, the business is set to stay in Landshut.
Almost two weeks later on September 27, Kunos Simulazioni announces that the Early Access launch of Assetto Corsa EVO is delayed until 2025. Once the official reveal happens on September 30, it also becomes clear which exact date sim racers want to mark in their calendars, with the trailer confirming January 16, 2025, and strongly hinting that the rumored free-roam feature will indeed be on board.
Image: Kunos Simulazioni
More details about a partnership with SimGrid, car customization and more emerge from the event and @Michel Wolk's chat with Kunos Co-Founder and Managing Director Marco Massarutto. The buzz surrounding the game is palpable, with AC EVO being THE topic of the event.
Meanwhile, EA Sports WRC receives its 2024 Season Expansion, letting rally fans tackle the 2024 WRC season including new locations. Switch out one letter and you get WEC, which is what Le Mans Ultimate is all about - but the restructuring of its publisher (that also owns developer Studio 397) Motorsport Games continues. In early October, it emerges that MSG is looking for either an investor or a buyer. Work on the sim itself continues.
Image: Motorsport Games
The new version left almost no stone unturned, introducing new IMSA content as well as Audi and Lamborghini as manufacturers, and revitalizing the multiplayer via the integration with Low Fuel Motorsport.
Instead of racing online, a handful of OverTake community members chose to go racing on a real track: On November 9, @Ole Marius Myrvold, @Joakim Skalstad and @Alex2016, plus a couple of non-OT members, tackle the 2024 Landskampen event at Mantorp Park, a 6-hour race in relatively rudimentary cars, to put it mildly. While they team may not be far up on the results sheet, simply being there is "a lifelong dream" for Alex that comes true.
Image: EMBA / Norman Gerway
Image: Kunos Simulazioni
And yet, the award for the headline grabber of the day does not go to any of the three sims - instead, Kunos decides to go all-in for it with the announcement of the open world that is going to be in Assetto Corsa EVO being set in the Eifel region of Germany. More precisely, it is going to be 1,600km2 surrounding the Nürburgring-Nordschleife - and that opened the floodgates for more news on the upcoming sim.
Marco Massarutto himself dropped a lot of information in our live stream Q&A session, such as the entirety of the open-world map being drivable or details about the AI and multiplayer mode. There appeared to be even more when German gaming outlet GameStar reported that AC EVO will be the official GTWC game again - which was swiftly denied by Kunos.
One more AC EVO news chapter appears in late December, with Kunos placing the confirmed content for the Early Access release under our Christmas trees on December 25.
Image: KW Studios
This marks the end of a flurry of news in the sim racing year of 2024 - but make no mistake, there will be more in January of 2025 already. AC EVO is set to launch into Early Access on January 16, and on the same day, Sim Formula Europe opens its doors for the first big on-site event of the year for the sim racing community.
We hope you enjoyed 2024 in sim racing as much as we did - we raise our glass to a hopefully even better 2025 in our favorite hobby!
What was your favorite sim racing moment of the second half of 2024? Let us know in the comments below!
Six months down, six more to go! If you joined us for part one of our 2024 sim racing year in review article, you know that there were plenty of storylines, some of which carry over into the second half of the year as well. Big updates, big announcements, a remarkable community effort - there was plenty to look back on.
So, without further ado, let's have a look at what happened in sim racing in the latter half of 2024!
July
If you expected a summer break in sim racing, July was not the month for you. Right out of the gate, the battle for Fanatec/Endor enters its next chapter, with Andres Ruff being announced to continue as Endor CEO on July 1. At the same time, a string of comments supposedly made by ex-CEO Thomas Jackermeier surfaces in the Wall Street Online forum, harshly criticizing the impending Corsair takeover.At this point, it also becomes clear that Corsair owns several Fanatec design trademarks and patents - as collateral against the payments to stabilize the company, as it emerges a day later. On that same day, it also emerges that Corsair owns the Fanatec brand, too.
Then, on July 16, the announcement of the Local Court of Landshut authorizing two Endor shareholders to hold an extraordinary meeting with the purpose of withdrawing confidence from the Managing Board of Endor emerges. One of these shareholders is implied to be Jackermeier himself on July 31, when it is announced that Endor files for insolvency.
Indeed, the planned meeting is the reason for Corsair to pull out as a strategic investor, meaning the plan to stabilize the company via the StaRUG procedure has failed. For sim racers, nothing much changes, as Fanatec continues to operate for now, and Corsair is understood to still be interested in acquiring Endor.
In more positive business-related news, Straight4 Studios announces GTRevival's name change to Project Motor Racing alongside a new publishing deal with GIANTS Software, known for their Farming Simulator franchise. Previously, the project was to be published by PLAION, which was part of Embracer Group that split apart in April.
Rennsport, meanwhile, also took a step forward. On July 3, Developer Competition Company announces an Open Beta update to the sim, including the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and GT4 cars. The move to Open Beta status also means the beta keys, already a meme for a long time, are phased out - anybody can access the sim once the update launches on July 10.
The Lister Storm GT in Project Motor Racing. Image: Straight4 Studios
What else happened in July?
- Fan-favorite track Eiger Nordwand returns to the franchise in Gran Turismo 7.
- Richard Burns Rally turns 20 years old.
- Le Mans Ultimate is announced to receive 2024 WEC season content across four DLC packs.
- Sim-Lab announces its first-ever steering wheel, a replica of the Mercedes F1 W15 Grand Prix car.
- EA Sports WRC adds controversial anti-cheat software and reveals a development roadmap.
August
August is gamescom month, and the biggest gaming fair in the world also has interesting things in store for sim racers starting on August 21. Immediately when doors opened, MOZA Racing steals the headlines by unveiling their own version of an active pedal - tech that, so far, has been exclusive to Simucube. The manufacturer also shows its first-ever licensed steering wheel in Cologne, that being the Porsche Mission R steering wheel. While the MOZA pedal is already on a rig for sim racers to try, Simagic also has a similar pedal on show, but only as a prototype behind glass.A few booths over, Corsair not only offers the first hands-on experience of its own rig, but also displays several Fanatec products on said rig as well as on the booth itself. A week after gamescom, news emerge that the extraordinary general meeting that led to Corsair ending its involvement in the proceedings to stabilize Endor is "temporarily suspended". At the same time, Fanatec CMO Belma Nadarevic answers community questions in a video, assuring sim racers that day-to-day operations of the company should run a bit smoother than previously.
After a period of silence regarding new content, RaceRoom re-enters the sim racing stage on August 18, teasing the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI as well as a historic track - just days later, it emerges that both the Alfa and the Opel Calibra V6 4x4 will be added to the sim to complete the 1995 DTM grid. KW Studios also announces that it will add the first-ever historic tracks to RaceRoom, those being the AVUS, Diepholz and classic Hockenheim. The content accompanies a milestone update that also improves the sim's graphics and performance.
Image: KW Studios
What else happened in August?
- Wreckfest 2 is announced.
- iRacing confirms the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, finally retiring the 650S GT3.
- The Alpine A424 LMDh car is confirmed to be part of Automobilista 2 v1.6.
- The Rennsport Steam page goes live.
- PISTA Motorsport becomes available in Early Access.
- Project Motor Racing will use GIANTS Engine following its new publishing deal.
- The Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown roadmap reveals an Ibizia expansion for December.
Image: Kylotonn / Nacon
September
The month starts well for sim racers with RaceRoom releasing its milestone update and Reiza teasing Sebring to join the Automobilista 2 track roster. However, those who are waiting for Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown are bitterly disappointed: First, developer Kylotonn goes on strike again (after having done so in 2023 already) just days before the release. Then, September 5 rolls around and those who pre-ordered the Gold Edition are supposed to be able to play early - but cannot.Server and service problems for the always-online title mean that issues plague TDUSC, with many unable to play at all during the first weekend and even beyond. Understandably, the community is not exactly happy with the launch of the game. In-game compensation is promised, a big update follows, but the excitement about the first big release in the Test Drive Unlimited franchise in 13 years evaporates immediately for most.
While Kylotonn and Nacon are trying to rein in the TDU issues, the saga surrounding Endor/Fanatec comes to an end. After months of uncertainty about the company, Corsair acquires Endor AG on September 14, but opts to continue with the Fanatec brand for sim racing products. With Endor being liquidated, the business is set to stay in Landshut.
Almost two weeks later on September 27, Kunos Simulazioni announces that the Early Access launch of Assetto Corsa EVO is delayed until 2025. Once the official reveal happens on September 30, it also becomes clear which exact date sim racers want to mark in their calendars, with the trailer confirming January 16, 2025, and strongly hinting that the rumored free-roam feature will indeed be on board.
Image: Kunos Simulazioni
What else happened in September?
- Polyphony and Sony announce My First Gran Turismo.
- Gran Turismo 7 is announced to benefit from the PlayStation 5 Pro's increased capabilities.
- The Crew 2 and Motorfest are announced to receive offline patches.
- It emerges that EA Sports could lose the Formula One license after F1 25.
- Studio 397 and Motorsport Games announce a unique co-op mode and additional for Le Mans Ultimate, launch the update on September 24.
- Reiza Studios publishes the first dev update on Automobilista 2 since May.
- Logitech unveils its first new sim racing hardware since the G PRO Racing Wheel in 2022.
- Rennsport debuts on Steam.
- BeamNG.drive receives big 0.33 update.
October
With the first bit of information on Assetto Corsa EVO having been released in late September, mid-October sees the floodgates open. At ADAC SimRacing Expo 2024, the game is available to play for the first time, and we even got to live stream our experience from the Dortmund event. This included an interview with Game Designer Davide Brivio, and an open world for AC EVO is confirmed as well.More details about a partnership with SimGrid, car customization and more emerge from the event and @Michel Wolk's chat with Kunos Co-Founder and Managing Director Marco Massarutto. The buzz surrounding the game is palpable, with AC EVO being THE topic of the event.
Meanwhile, EA Sports WRC receives its 2024 Season Expansion, letting rally fans tackle the 2024 WRC season including new locations. Switch out one letter and you get WEC, which is what Le Mans Ultimate is all about - but the restructuring of its publisher (that also owns developer Studio 397) Motorsport Games continues. In early October, it emerges that MSG is looking for either an investor or a buyer. Work on the sim itself continues.
Image: Motorsport Games
What else happened in October?
- Simucube announces a "budget" version of its Active Pedal.
- Thrustmaster unveils the PlayStation-compatible T598 bundle.
- Asetek strikes a deal to release console-compatible hardware in 2025, although it is not announced for which console yet.
- RaceRoom announces drift content for 2025.
- Fanatec shows new hardware at SimRacing Expo.
- MOZA Racing unveils the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 steering wheel.
November
While RaceRoom releasing its DTM 2024 pack after some delay and announcing Super Touring cars for December, plus iRacing announcing the Ferrari 499P to be in the 2025 Season 1 build are big news on their own, it is an update that stole their spotlight on November 29: Almost a year after the last milestone update, Automobilista 2 v1.6 finally arrives, elevating Reiza Studios' sim to new heights when it comes to player numbers.The new version left almost no stone unturned, introducing new IMSA content as well as Audi and Lamborghini as manufacturers, and revitalizing the multiplayer via the integration with Low Fuel Motorsport.
Instead of racing online, a handful of OverTake community members chose to go racing on a real track: On November 9, @Ole Marius Myrvold, @Joakim Skalstad and @Alex2016, plus a couple of non-OT members, tackle the 2024 Landskampen event at Mantorp Park, a 6-hour race in relatively rudimentary cars, to put it mildly. While they team may not be far up on the results sheet, simply being there is "a lifelong dream" for Alex that comes true.
Image: EMBA / Norman Gerway
What else happened in November?
- Jimmy Broadbent's Race For Mental Health 6 raised over £90,000 for MIND Charity, with OverTake participating in a Supercars Ford Mustang.
- The first batch of LMGT3 cars as well as optional online subscriptions for Le Mans Ultimate are announced to be added in December.
- Rennsport announces that it will move out of Open Beta and into Early Access in December.
Image: Kunos Simulazioni
December
The final month of 2024 starts out in an intense way, to say the least. Not one, not two, but three sims receive big updates on December 10, with Le Mans Ultimate adding the first few 2024 LMGT3 cars and Interlagos, RaceRoom debuting its Super Touring cars as well as classic Silverstone and Estoril, and iRacing rolling out its Season 1 2025 update - controversy about the inaccuracies of its GTP cars included.And yet, the award for the headline grabber of the day does not go to any of the three sims - instead, Kunos decides to go all-in for it with the announcement of the open world that is going to be in Assetto Corsa EVO being set in the Eifel region of Germany. More precisely, it is going to be 1,600km2 surrounding the Nürburgring-Nordschleife - and that opened the floodgates for more news on the upcoming sim.
Marco Massarutto himself dropped a lot of information in our live stream Q&A session, such as the entirety of the open-world map being drivable or details about the AI and multiplayer mode. There appeared to be even more when German gaming outlet GameStar reported that AC EVO will be the official GTWC game again - which was swiftly denied by Kunos.
One more AC EVO news chapter appears in late December, with Kunos placing the confirmed content for the Early Access release under our Christmas trees on December 25.
Image: KW Studios
What else happened in December?
- We kick off December with seven days of hardware giveaways, giving registered community members the chance to win Fanatec gear every day. Later, this is followed by our Sim-Lab giveaway for Premium Members - the first of our monthly giveaways that will continue in 2025.
- Rennsport leaves Open Beta status for Early Access, although its content pricing model is is not received positively in large parts of the community. The sim will also be part of the Esports World Cup.
- Microsoft's open-world racer Forza Horizon 5 is rumored to come to PlayStation.
- The Gran Turismo 7 World Finals take place in Amsterdam. Team Lexus and Takuma Miyzono are crowned champions, an early 1990s-inspired F1 car is announced and used in the final, and we got our first hands-on experience with My First Gran Turismo.
This marks the end of a flurry of news in the sim racing year of 2024 - but make no mistake, there will be more in January of 2025 already. AC EVO is set to launch into Early Access on January 16, and on the same day, Sim Formula Europe opens its doors for the first big on-site event of the year for the sim racing community.
We hope you enjoyed 2024 in sim racing as much as we did - we raise our glass to a hopefully even better 2025 in our favorite hobby!
What was your favorite sim racing moment of the second half of 2024? Let us know in the comments below!
